The programme commenced with a high-level exchange with Rafael de Bustamante, Chargé d’Affaires of the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, and representatives of the EU Delegation. Against the backdrop of the steadily expanding partnership between Vietnam and the European Union, discussions focused on the growing strategic importance of Southeast Asia and the evolving role of Vietnam in regional and global affairs.
The delegation subsequently visited the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), where participants engaged with researchers and experts on maritime security issues. Particular attention was paid to developments in the South China Sea, a strategically significant region shaped by territorial disputes, vital international maritime routes, and increasing geopolitical competition. Discussions underscored the importance of international maritime law and regional cooperation in maintaining peace, stability, and sustainable development, matters of direct relevance to Vietnam, the wider region, and international partners, including Germany and the European Union.
A meeting with German Ambassador Helga Margarete Barth and representatives of the German Embassy offered valuable insights into contemporary developments in German-Vietnamese relations and prospects for future cooperation. Later, the delegation participated in a discussion with Dr. Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy and Dr. Denis Suarsana on the European Union’s Global Gateway Strategy. The exchange drew on findings from a recent KAS study examining how European infrastructure investments can be more effectively aligned with the economic and strategic priorities of Vietnam and Thailand.
On the second day, the delegation attended the Mekong International Forum 2026, jointly organized by KAS and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. The forum focused on strengthening economic connectivity within the Mekong region, with discussions covering transport and trade infrastructure, regional supply chain resilience, and the opportunities arising from deeper economic integration and cross-border cooperation.
The programme also included a visit to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Hanoi, where participants attended a presentation by Dr. Dang Anh Dung and engaged in discussions with Vietnamese scholars on the concept of Vietnam’s strategic autonomy. The exchange examined how Vietnam seeks to safeguard its foreign policy independence while simultaneously diversifying its international partnerships in the context of growing strategic competition among major powers.
Beyond foreign and security policy issues, the delegation gained broader perspectives on contemporary Vietnamese society through a visit to the Goethe-Institut Hanoi. During a World Café discussion, participants exchanged views with Vietnamese counterparts on topics including civic participation, cultural development, media, and migration. Conversations with young Vietnamese aspiring to study or pursue professional opportunities in Germany further underscored the importance of people-to-people exchanges as a cornerstone of bilateral relations.
The visit provided participants with a nuanced and multifaceted understanding of Vietnam’s political, economic, and social developments. At the same time, it reaffirmed the importance of direct dialogue, mutual learning, and international exchange in fostering deeper understanding and strengthening cooperation between Germany and Vietnam.
